For immediate release Contact: Rose Shaw, 413-236-2113

BCC Associate Degree Nursing Program Receives Re-accreditation

The Berkshire Community College Associate Degree Nursing program has received an eight year re-accreditation from the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission for achievement of quality and excellence in nursing education.

Accreditation is a voluntary, self-regulatory process for recognizing nursing programs that have been found to meet or exceed standards and criteria for educational quality. The process requires a rigorous self-evaluation by the program, an appraisal by respected and competent peers, and a subsequent review and decision by the governing body.

The BCC nursing program was founded in 1967 and has since graduated more than 1,425 nurses.
It was first accredited in 1975 and has enjoyed continuous re-accreditation since. At the present time, the nursing program admits 56 students yearly in the fall on a rolling admissions basis.
Students who graduated in the program in 2006 achieved a 92% pass rate on their licensing exam, well above the national and state averages. In addition, 98% of the graduates who sought employment in nursing found jobs.

Currently, any LPN who either graduated from BCC’s LPN program or who has been employed as an LPN may enter the second year of the nursing program after meeting certain requirements for admission.

For more information, interested applicants may contact BCC’s Admissions Office at 236-1630.

--8/8/2007